Season opens December 3 at Cory-Rawson Duals
By Cort Reynolds
The Ada varsity wrestling program looks to be improved behind a deep sophomore class under veteran head coach/co-athletic director Eric Perkins.
Eight grapplers on the relatively youthful roster are returning lettermen. That experienced group will combine with several newcomers, including two girls, to form a potentially solid squad.
Ten of the 19 wrestlers on the roster are sophomores, with just one senior on the squad. Five juniors and three freshmen complete the roster.
"This year we have eight or nine wrestlers with at least one year of wrestling experience," said Perkins. "So we are starting this season with more baseline experience.
"We have a lot of sophomores who had decent or better years last season," he added. "We have a lot of newcomers (nine) to go with 10 returnees. Eight are completely new to the sport."
Feisty junior Clayton McClain is the team's most accomplished returnee. McClain went 3-1 at sectionals to finish third in the 126 lbs. bracket. He then won a match at the district tournament in Troy after placing at that level as a freshman.
"Clayton is our most experienced wrestler," said Perkins. "He is up in weight to 144/150 this season."
McClain fashioned a strong 27-11 record last year.
Sophomore Liam Vieira is expected to wrestle in the 126/132 weight classes. He had a good freshman season, finishing second in the conference meet at 120 lbs. He also took fifth in the sectionals to end the season 25-11.
Classmate Rowan West also took second in the NWC tournament at 132 lbs. as a frosh. He will wrestle at 132 and 138 lbs. this winter. West put together a solid 18-16 mark last campaign.
"Clayton, Liam and Rowan all had good years last season," Perkins pointed out.
Sophomore Aedyn Beckwith overcame an injury-plagued season to finish third in the NWC meet at 126 lbs. He will compete at 120 and 126 lbs. this winter.
Sophomore Trevor McGue is another returning letterman at 132/138. Classmate newcomer Logan Jolliff, a good athlete, is expected to compete in those weight divisions too.
Sophomores Josh Arnett (150/157), Landon Simon (175/190) and Colton Cole (190) round out the eight experienced lettermen back.
Cole won eight matches last season, mostly at 165 lbs.
Lone senior Chase Caldwell returns at the 175 lbs. class after wrestling for the first time last season. Juniors Aaron Arnett (165) and Owen Arnett (165) also gained valuable experience last season.
Junior Brady Sloan (144), sophomores Ken Zhang (175) and Mohammed Khalil (138), and freshmen Cooper Dappert and Silas Riblet complete the 17-wrestler male roster.
Freshman newcomer Marley Bulerin (125 lbs.) is one of two girls on the roster. "Marley has been wrestling her whole life," said Perkins. "She was almost undefeated in junior high. She might wrestle some male matches, too."
Junior Jillian Hazelton (135 lbs.) is also on the roster.
"It will be good for them to get to wrestle some girls teams this year," said Perkins. "The state is adding girls wrestling, which is exciting."
Three road girls tournament events are on the docket as well in December and January.
As far as the league crown is concerned, five-time defending champion Allen East is the clear favorite to repeat again. Five of the seven Mustang 2022 NWC individual weight class champions return this season.
"They are the favorite until they don't win," said Perkins of AE. "Allen East turns out quality wrestlers every year, with four or five kids who can go to state.
"Spencerville was second last year, and Crestview (fifth in 2022 NWC meet) has good numbers for a young program," he offered. "Grove (third) is always there, Bluffton (fourth) is normally pretty good." Ada came in eighth in the eight-team NWC event.
The Bulldog wrestling team is simply looking for improvement this season.
"We don't want to finish last again," said Perkins of this year's team goals. "We have a team of mostly sophomores but if we keep improving, we can finish somewhere near the middle of the NWC.
"I would like us to be mentally and physically tougher, more aggressive," Perkins continued. "Staying positive in a long season is key to improvement. We have some new guys who are learning quickly and are good athletes.
"Overall we have some wrestlers still finding their footing, so weight classes will change," he added.
Assistants David Ames and Adam Dillon round out the coaching staff.
The schedule is largely the same as last season.
Ada opens its mat season December 3 at the annual Cory-Rawson Duals. Perkins feels the Bulldogs have a shot to finish as high as second in the five-team event.
The Bulldogs are slated to host Bath and McComb December 20 in a tri-match. Ada also hosts two other triangular meets later in the season.
The Northwest Conference title meet will be at Spencerville on Friday night, Feb. 10.
Sectionals will be in Lima. If the Bulldogs remain healthy, Ada hopes to get multiple wrestlers to the district event in March.
The Ada varsity wrestling team, left to right:
front: Clayton McClain, Marley Bulerin, Chase Caldwell, Jillian Hazelton, Owen Arnett.
Row 2: Brady Sloan, Liam Vieira, Rowan West, Trevor McGue, Aedyn Beckwith, Logan Jolliff.
Row 3: Landon Simon, Ken Zheng, Mohamad Khalil, Silas Riblet, Cooper Dappert.
Back: head coach Eric Perkins, assistant coach David Ames, assistant Adam Dillon.
Not pictured: Josh Arnett, Aaron Arnett, Colton Cole.
